The games on my radar are
1. Brutal Legend
2. Mass Effect 2
3. The Saboteur
4. Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2
5. Halo ODST
6. Assasin's Creed II
7. Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier
8. Dark Void
9. Halo Reach
10. Battlefield: Bad Company 2
11. Rock Band 3
12. No More Heroes 2
13. Pikmin 3
14. Prototype
15. Metal Gear Rising
And footnotes for each game (what I gotta give reasons don't I?):
Brutal Legend - To each boy or girl their own video game that fulfills their deepest, most outrageous and outstanding dreams and desires. For me, Brutal Legend is that game. Jack Black voices the protagonist in the story Eddie Riggs, the world's greatest roadie sent into an unknown realm to save in the name of heavy metal combating enemies that are parodies of emos and gothic teens --it sure isn't campy that's for sure! Along with Jack Black their are other notable members of the metal realm like Lemmy Kilmister (MotorHead), Lita Ford (Lita Ford), Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio) and Ozzy Osborne (you probably all know who he is). Everything about this game is insane, over the top, head banging, ear piercing pleasure and hilarity. If you like metal or funny/crazy games in general I would stamp you with the "Get it or Else You'll Regret it" stamp, and I still highly recommend it to anyone out there who owns a Xbox 360 or PS3 to watch this game carefully. Set to release October 13, 2009.
Mass Effect 2 - Perhaps one of the most underrated Xbox 360 games, Mass Effect stole the hearts of shooter rpg fans with a futuristic story with plot twists and the pen in your hands; you decided who to save, who to work for or against, and everything in between. Your hero was even entirely customizable, making the EA character creator systems jealous. Mass Effect 2 follows up as a direct sequel to the old which means whoever died in original will stay remain died (naturally). This time around the galaxy is darker, the combat heavier and the intensity is upped five fold. Just be prepared for twists and turns.....even the assumed safe may be the next targets for death. Coming out on 360 and PC Early 2010, another game I strongly recommend to those who apply to at least check it out for yourself.
The Saboteur - Yes, this is another WW II game, but no, it's not another shooter game, ala, Call of Duty, Medal of Honor, blah blah blah. In Saboteur, you play as a member of the French Resistance that fights Nazi scum from the inside in any way possible, bringing hope back to the people. Set to release in Fall of 09 for the PS3, 360 and PC, it showed off one of my favorite game trailers I have ever seen, take a look:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2gClnlzo4oCall of Duty Modern Warfare 2 - While I didn't particularly miss the old modern theme (I found World at War just as if not more enjoyable than Modern Warfare) Infinity Ward has taken back the reins of the franchise and now is in the process of making a sequel to old, with varying settings from blizzard's in Russia to suburban ghettos that show some reference to South America. While almost scratching the entire inventory of weapons from CoD4 (those that remain be the AK47 and M16), from what I've seen the weapons look superb and make me eager to see how they all pan out. Set to release in the fourth quarter of 09 for 360, PS3 and PC.
Halo ODST - While it's the closest thing you'll get to a Halo 3 sequel (funny how everything these days are sequels pretty much) Halo ODST takes place before Halo 2 in New Mombassa. As "The Rookie" you are an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (ODST) that is dropped in to clear out the Covenant. The problem is, you're separated from your squad in mid-drop and you sure as heck can't go about it like Master Chief. Halo ODST is a stealthier game that is noir-inspired and an entire open world, meaning you won't pass through the same hallway three times. While as the Rook it will be stealthy, when encountering flashbacks the pace really picks up as you play as his squad mates in daytime segments that are filled with dramatic action. In addition to that, Halo ODST will also come with another disk with all the Halo 3 maps (original and DLC) including three new maps as well. For the Xbox 360 and to be released September 2009.
Assasin's Creed II - Ah the Italian Renaissance, filled with merriment, technological breakthroughs, men with cheesy mustaches, but this time around with one member of the Italian Nobles betrayed and now seeking revenge on the Italian Royal family named Ezio, your main protagonist. Similar to the original more than not, there's more diversity in enemies, deeper crowd interaction, and the best part being the ability to swim --whereas Altair of the old protagonist in Creed sunk like a rock when even tipping his toes into water. For the 360 and PS3.
Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier - Motha Ghangii, thank goodness Naughty Dog wasn't done with the franchise! The dynamic duo of eco warrior and that weird otter squirrel hybrid return in what appears to be a return to series roots. From what's been shown, there is much aerial combat in LF and there's also a good bit of platforming like in the old, apparently in some sort of world that no man or being has ever ventured to before. While details are scarce, the fact that I get to play as one of my favorite duos in gaming has me smitten by love. To be available for the PS2 and PSP (why it's not for the PS3 I'll never know).
Dark Void - A game that has quietly slipped under the radar to be one of the games to look forward to this fall. As part of the one of the Big Four Capcom releases this year (SF, Resident Evil, Bionic Commando) Dark Void is a mixture of Crimson Skies and Gears of War combat taking place in an unknown region somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle controlled by a alien race threatening the lives of the humans who have been stranded there. Sounds decent, but as you zoom through the air on your jetpack clamping onto walls to engage in wall hanging, vertical combat that takes cover based fire fights to their extreme or high jacking UFOs in mid air certainly separates this game from the pack of generic shooters.
Halo Reach - Okay, okay, I haven't seen a lick of game play footage and don't even know the essence of what this game's genre or story is, I mean for all I know it could be another Halo Wars or a tea party with Samus. Nevertheless, after reading a certain timeline in Halo Wars I've learned of some plot lines that will drive the story forward (which I'm not going to share, go play Halo Wars yourself ninnies!) has me particularly interested. My guess is that you don't play as the Chief this time around and Bungie's going to weave some string to create a different experience from all the other Halos, and there will be exploding grunts. Released 2010 for the, you guessed it, Xbox 360.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 – Do you like your cereal with rainbow sprinkles? Of course you do, which is why when I saw a screen shot from the new sequel to Bad Company I beamed in glee and yearned to have a time machine so I could get the game as soon as I could. The old was packed with humongous explosions, extremely witty humor and heart rending action that would lead some to start taking drugs still brings back sweet memories every time I play. This game would have been much higher on my list, but I’m just a tad worried about the old B Company from the original. I haven’t seen a lick of them over than that one screen shot (not identifiable in trailers), and to be frank: if they aren’t in BC2 I probably won’t buy the game, I mean the made it so much more enjoyable with their classic one liners and random conversations that it would make the new an empty shell in comparison. For 360, PS3 and PC (Release Date TBA).
Rock Band 3 – Sorry Guitar Hero, but you lost the fight to Rock Band in my mind (minus the fact that Rock Band’s making that Lego version, yuck) as the better music game. No explanation is necessary really; it’s Rock Band we’re talking about! I know absolutely nothing about it (innovation wise), but more than not it will be released this year in September (just a guess).
No More Heroes 2 – Oh look, a Wii game that’s actually on my list! I wanted to get the old NMH (alas, rated M games don’t fly well with my mom) I simply can’t wait to get the follow up to the light saber swinger that puts Star Wars games on the Wii to shame. For the Wii set to release in more than not 2010.
Pikmin 3 – One of Myamotto’s greater creations that really goes particularly unnoticed (your going to be more excited about a new Mario game than Pikmin). Nevertheless as far as one can guess, it is in the works and that’s really all you can pick out of it. Knowing the franchise they’ll probably introduce some sort of flying or hovering Pikmin and another storyline that may involve online cooperative play. For the Wii and to be release date TBA.
Prototype – Alex Mercer awoke one morning on an autopsy table, and his memory has been wiped blank completely….And the massacre between you, the military, and an infection that is ravaging NYC begins. It turns out that Alex was part of some military experiment that went horribly wrong and has given him some mutant powers that would make Kratos or Superman jealous. While the story may not entice you, fans of the God War series should know that you are “…playing as one of the most bad*** characters (Alex Mercer) in video games…” and they seriously said that! As Alex you sweep through the city taking over people’s bodies to recover some of your memories or gain abilities such as learning how to fly a helicopter (if per say you absorb a pilot’s body), beating them to bits with your hands that somehow turn into claws, etc. For PC, 360 and PS3 and to be released…..tomorrow actually, so if you’re feeling the summer blues why not give Prototype a test run?
Metal Gear Solid: Rising – Surprise! Most of you already know that they’re making a new Metal Gear game that is coming out for the 360. I was rejoicing at the news of that despite their being no footage whatsoever….until I found out you spend the whole game playing as Raiden. It’s bad enough I can’t pronounce his name right, now I have to spend an entire game playing as him instead of Snake? Lame. Nevertheless, it’s Metal Gear and it’s coming to the 360, be happy. To be released for 360 and PS3 (TBD release date).
I hope you enjoyed reading this and found it at least a tiny bit helpful or comical, and I at least hope you read it considering this took up four pages on word document. Gracious.
